How to size a suit.

[reetpleat]

Just thought I would throw this out. When I was working in a vintage shop in SF I developed this system.

Of course the best thing to do is try a jacket on myself and extrapolate size or try on someone else that you know their size.

But in laying flat and measuring, this is what I would do.

Measure arm pit to arm pit, then for a vintage double breasted suit subtract two inches, or one and a half for smaller sizes, then double and there is your size.

for single breasted fifties suits, I would subtract one and a half inch, or one maybe for smaller sizes.

For sixties suits that fit snugly, I would only subtract one inch.

Mind you, I subtract before doubling. IF you take the full measurement of say 48 inches, then subtract four.

Of course sometimes you get lucky andthe size is in the pociet tag.

Other than the oddball that was obviouysly not the right size on the tag, it seemsed to be consistant with stated size and the size shown from trying on.

How it compares to modern suit sizing I don't know.

I think I am a 38 short, but in modern sizing I would probably wear a 36 short.

 

[Orgetorix]

Helpful information, perhaps, if you're trying to sell a suit. However, I think most folks will have better luck when buying used suits by forgetting the "size" altogether. Manufacturers have always differed on how they size jackets--some drop two inches, some drop four. Secondhand sellers are even worse. Rather than taking the measurements, trying to translate that into a size, and then guessing whether it'll fit, it's better to just measure a jacket that does fit well and compare the measurements. I normally wear a 40R or 41R, but when I'm looking for suits and odd jackets on Ebay, I have to search for "sizes" from 40 to 45 because the tagged or estimated sizes vary so widely.

 

[reetpleat]

Helpful information, perhaps, if you're trying to sell a suit. However, I think most folks will have better luck when buying used suits by forgetting the "size" altogether. Manufacturers have always differed on how they size jackets--some drop two inches, some drop four. Secondhand sellers are even worse. Rather than taking the measurements, trying to translate that into a size, and then guessing whether it'll fit, it's better to just measure a jacket that does fit well and compare the measurements. I normally wear a 40R or 41R, but when I'm looking for suits and odd jackets on Ebay, I have to search for "sizes" from 40 to 45 because the tagged or estimated sizes vary so widely.

I agree. Best to know your own measurements and compare.